How to Learn Copywriting

You’ve decided to add copywriting to your skill set — great decision! Copywriters are in demand, and the craft provides exciting opportunities to get paid for your creative ideas. Learning the basics of copywriting isn’t as daunting as it may seem — with some dedication and commitment, you can master the skill and make money as a copywriter.

In this blog post, we’ll cover how anyone can start honing their copywriting chops even if they don’t have a background in writing. Ready to find out how to learn copywriting? Let’s jump right in!

What Is Copywriting?

Copywriting is a form of persuasive writing businesses and organizations use to market their products or services through websites, blogs, emails, and other digital marketing materials.

Some copywriting examples include brand slogans. “Just Do It” by Nike highlights the brand’s motivation and empowers consumers with a simple yet impactful message. Another example is the infamous Old Spice campaign, “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like,” which demonstrated the power of clever and humorous marketing.

What Is a Copywriting Job?

Copywriting for businesses revolves around crafting convincing and engaging text, or “copy,” for marketing purposes. As a reliable and skilled wordsmith, a copywriter’s primary goal is to convincingly convey a message and inspire a particular action from the target audience, whether a purchase or newsletter subscription.

This profession requires a combination of copywriting skills — creativity, marketing knowledge, and an exceptional command of the language. Ultimately, it’s a job ideally suited for those who love playing with words and have a knack for getting inside people’s heads to influence their behavior.

How Do Beginners Get Copywriting?

Diving into the world of copywriting can seem daunting for beginners, but fear not! Instead, start by gaining a solid understanding of persuasive writing techniques and the psychological principles behind them. Remember, knowledge is power!

Next, practice your writing prowess by creating content for your chosen niche. Accumulating experience, building a solid portfolio, and showcasing your diverse writing samples will help you establish a career in copywriting. You shouldn’t shy away from seeking support and advice from fellow copywriters, online forums, and networking events.

Essential Copywriter Business Tools

When it comes to copywriting, these are specific tools that every business copywriter should have as part of their arsenal:

• Word processor — Whether it is Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or something else, a reliable program helps you organize your thoughts and quickly create polished pieces of text.
• Spellchecker — No writer wants to ruin their credibility by making spelling mistakes. A spellchecker will promptly identify any spelling or grammar errors in your copy and make corrections before it goes public.
• Thesaurus — Use a thesaurus to find synonyms, alternative words, or more nuanced or creative ways of saying something.

Copywriting Tips for Beginners

Copywriting may seem intimidating to beginners, but anyone can craft engaging content with the right tips. Here are some pointers to get you going:

• Analyze your audience — Before you begin writing your copy, take the time to research your market. Know who you are writing for and what content appeals to them.
• Use plain language — Make sure your copy is easy to understand. Avoid using technical jargon or overly complicated words, and keep your sentences short.
• Write compelling titles — Creating attention-grabbing headlines is a vital copywriting skill. After all, that’s what readers see first.
• Focus on benefits — Explain how your service can help solve a problem for the reader and why they should choose you.
• Establish credibility — People trust someone with authority and expertise. To support your claims, incorporate relevant facts, figures, and statistics into your text.
• Tell a story — You can include anecdotes, case studies, or real-world examples.
• Optimize for search — Relevant keywords in your headings and throughout the text will help you rank higher in search engine results for those terms.
• Test your copy — Try out different versions of headlines and body to see what resonates with readers. Analyze the data and adjust accordingly.

How to Learn Copywriting for Free

Mastering the craft of copywriting isn’t easy and takes time to perfect. Fortunately, some excellent — and free — online resources can help you learn the basics and hone your copywriting skills.

One of the best sites to start at is Copyblogger, a popular blog containing a wealth of information, from tips and tricks to guides on how to start a copywriting business.

Another excellent resource for learning copywriting is ProCopyTips. This site provides practical advice and guidance on writing engaging content. It also features mini-reviews on popular and less-known writing, editing, and SEO tools. 

The Copyhackers blog is another valuable resource, offering in-depth articles on copywriting techniques and best practices. The blog’s creators also provide a copywriting course (Copy School) for those looking to take their skills to the next level. Keep in mind that this course isn’t free.

The Copywriter Collective also contains many articles ideal for picking up copywriting tips and learning how to get copywriting jobs.

And, of course, look into copywriting books in your local library or online (e.g., Breakthrough Advertising by Eugene Schwartz).

How to Become a Freelance Copywriter

After you’ve got a solid footing in grammar and popular copywriting styles, and compiled a strong portfolio, proceed with networking.

A social media presence and a professional website work wonders to establish authority. Consistently pitch your services and remain open to feedback, and you’ll thrive as a freelance copywriter.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Copywriter?

Becoming a copywriter takes hard work and dedication, but you can see results in as little as three to six months. However, the time it takes to become proficient enough to make money depends on your existing skillset and how much studying and practice you are willing to put into becoming a copywriter.

Can I Be a Copywriter With No Experience?

Absolutely! You can get copywriting jobs without experience but must commit to learning and perfecting your skills through extensive research and practice.

Final Thoughts

Though copywriting may seem overwhelming and complex, it simply requires good research, an understanding of marketing strategies, strong communication skills, and an eye for detail — plus a few business tools. And luckily, there are plenty of resources that can explain how to learn copywriting — and many are free. Of course, this will not happen overnight, as it depends mainly on your willingness to absorb and practice the knowledge. But in the end, the work you put in will be worth it!